You are using an out-of-date version of the Internet Explorer web browser. For a better experience on our website, please use a different web browser or update your Internet Explorer to version 8 or higher. Click here for more information.

Itinerary for Oct 30 — Nov 7, 2014

Description: The former house of the music composer Darius Milhaud, Hotel Artea combines the charm and the quality of an old Aix townhouse with modern facilities.
Just a few minutes from the pedestrian heart of Aix-en Provence, the Théâtre de Provence and the Cours Mirabeau, Hotel Artea is the perfect base for exploring this lively town. The SNCF train station is only a five minute walk from the hotel.

Room amenities: All 50 rooms are spacious, simply furnished with traditional style and have air-conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access, cable television with English language channels, a direct-dial telephone, a mini-fridge, soundproof windows, and a private bathroom with a bathtub and a hairdryer.

Facility amenities: The htoel includes a bar, 24-Hour Front Desk, elevator, soundproof rooms, heating, baggage storage, air conditioning, a meeting room, and free Wi-Fi is available in all areas. The entire hotel is non-smoking.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Day Two: Friday, October 31 - Arrival in Marseille / Transfer to Aix-en-Provenc...

Morning: NOTE FOR PARTICIPANTS COMBINING THIS PROGRAM WITH PROGRAM 21095 ending in Paris CDG: Because these programs are designed to be taken together, your transportation to Aix-en-Provence from Paris has been arranged by Road Scholar and is complimentary. Please see details of program below for start time on this day.
All other participants will have individual transfers from the airport to the hotel.

Afternoon: Check-in at the hotel in Aix-en-Provence and take some time to relax and to freshen up before orientation. We will gather in our private meeting room at 6 p.m. where the Group Leader will greet you with a warm welcome and introduce everyone. We will review the up-to-date daily schedule and any changes, discuss responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have.
Please be aware that program activities and scheduled times could change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Description: The former house of the music composer Darius Milhaud, Hotel Artea combines the charm and the quality of an old Aix townhouse with modern facilities.
Just a few minutes from the pedestrian heart of Aix-en Provence, the Théâtre de Provence and the Cours Mirabeau, Hotel Artea is the perfect base for exploring this lively town. The SNCF train station is only a five minute walk from the hotel.

Room amenities: All 50 rooms are spacious, simply furnished with traditional style and have air-conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access, cable television with English language channels, a direct-dial telephone, a mini-fridge, soundproof windows, and a private bathroom with a bathtub and a hairdryer.

Facility amenities: The htoel includes a bar, 24-Hour Front Desk, elevator, soundproof rooms, heating, baggage storage, air conditioning, a meeting room, and free Wi-Fi is available in all areas. The entire hotel is non-smoking.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Day Three: Saturday, November 01 - Aix-en-Provence Old Town / The Local Provençal Ma...

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.

Morning: We will depart on foot for a walking field trip around Aix-en-Provence on which we will explore this historic city and heart of Provence. We will discover the old religious and civil districts around the cathedral and the city hall, XVII and XVIII century mansions façades, and typical squares with their fountains, as well as the Cours Mirabeau. In addition, we will explore the various Saturday markets; Saturday is the busiest market day and each square offers a different variety of stalls.

Lunch: On your own in the Old Town of Aix.

Afternoon: Take the afternoon to freely explore. Saturday is the best day to check out the shops and to experience the Old Town on your own.

Description: The former house of the music composer Darius Milhaud, Hotel Artea combines the charm and the quality of an old Aix townhouse with modern facilities.
Just a few minutes from the pedestrian heart of Aix-en Provence, the Théâtre de Provence and the Cours Mirabeau, Hotel Artea is the perfect base for exploring this lively town. The SNCF train station is only a five minute walk from the hotel.

Room amenities: All 50 rooms are spacious, simply furnished with traditional style and have air-conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access, cable television with English language channels, a direct-dial telephone, a mini-fridge, soundproof windows, and a private bathroom with a bathtub and a hairdryer.

Facility amenities: The htoel includes a bar, 24-Hour Front Desk, elevator, soundproof rooms, heating, baggage storage, air conditioning, a meeting room, and free Wi-Fi is available in all areas. The entire hotel is non-smoking.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Day Four: Sunday, November 02 - L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Market / The Sights and Perc...

L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Market / The Sights and Perched Villages of the Luberon

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.

Morning: Explore one of the largest markets in Provence and one of the largest antique markets in the world. L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is a picturesque Medieval town that offers a sumptuous setting for a Sunday market. Follow your guide as you learn the history of this small town and also sample some of the local specialties and learn about how they are made. Aftewards, enjoy some time to discover the city and explore the vendor stalls at your leisure.

Lunch: On your own to explore local cuisine.

Afternoon: Depart by coach for Senanque and Gorde to discover some of the lesser visited sites of Luberon, a region made famous by Peter Mayle's book, "A Year in Provence." We will stop to see the outside of the Abbey of Senanque, walk the streets of Gorde, and as we cross over the Luberon mountains, we will stop in the village of Lourmarin before making our way back to Aix-en-Provence.

Description: The former house of the music composer Darius Milhaud, Hotel Artea combines the charm and the quality of an old Aix townhouse with modern facilities.
Just a few minutes from the pedestrian heart of Aix-en Provence, the Théâtre de Provence and the Cours Mirabeau, Hotel Artea is the perfect base for exploring this lively town. The SNCF train station is only a five minute walk from the hotel.

Room amenities: All 50 rooms are spacious, simply furnished with traditional style and have air-conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access, cable television with English language channels, a direct-dial telephone, a mini-fridge, soundproof windows, and a private bathroom with a bathtub and a hairdryer.

Facility amenities: The htoel includes a bar, 24-Hour Front Desk, elevator, soundproof rooms, heating, baggage storage, air conditioning, a meeting room, and free Wi-Fi is available in all areas. The entire hotel is non-smoking.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Note: Today's activities include travel by coach, climbing of stairs, and walking on cobblestones.

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.

Morning: We will travel by coach to take a tour of the Roman and art city of Arles. Eight of Arles' Roman and Romanesque Monuments and 65 acres of downtown are considered part of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. As part of our visit, we explore the old town on foot and discover a few of these special sites. In addition, you will learn about the work and places that inspired Van Gogh while he lived in Arles. Afterwards, enjoy some leisure time to discover the city on your own.

Lunch: On your own to explore local cuisine.

Afternoon: We will depart by coach for Les-Baux-de-Provence. This fortified village, with its interesting history, offers some of the most picturesque views of Provence. We will visit and learn about the sites of this fortress. Note: There are many stairs and some climbing involved on cobblestone streets to explore the fortress. Please wear comfy footwear!

Description: Brice Hotel is located in central Nice, just a 5-minute walk from the Promenade des Anglais and the beach. It offers a sauna, a solarium and grounds with a fountain.
A buffet breakfast is served in the breakfast room every morning. On sunny days, guests can enjoy a drink from the hotel bar on the terrace under the orange and lemon trees.
The hotel is just a ten minute walk from the tram line and Nice’s central train station. It is ideally located for exploring the city and nearby town such as Monte-Carlo and Cannes.

Note: Today's activities include over two hours of travel by coach and a walking tour.

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.

Morning: We will check out of the hotel and depart for Nice. We will drive through Cannes and along the beachfront before heading to Antibes. Enjoy a field trip to Chateaux Grimaldi and the Picasso Museum. Learn about Picasso, his work and his time in France. We will then take the coach from Antibes to Saint-Paul-de-Vence.

Lunch: On your own to explore local cuisine.

Afternoon: Free time to explore the village on your own or to visit the Maeght Foundation. We will then take the coach to Matisse Chappelle in Vence (30 minutes). Afterwards, we will depart to check-in at the hotel hotel in Nice.

Description: Brice Hotel is located in central Nice, just a 5-minute walk from the Promenade des Anglais and the beach. It offers a sauna, a solarium and grounds with a fountain.
A buffet breakfast is served in the breakfast room every morning. On sunny days, guests can enjoy a drink from the hotel bar on the terrace under the orange and lemon trees.
The hotel is just a ten minute walk from the tram line and Nice’s central train station. It is ideally located for exploring the city and nearby town such as Monte-Carlo and Cannes.

Day Seven: Wednesday, November 05 - An Introduction to Nice: The Flower Market and th...

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.

Morning: We will start the morning in Nice, led by your local expert, to drive by and explore the sites of Nice. We will see the Russian Orthodox church, stop at Castle Hill for a panoramic view of the city, and drive along the Promenade des Anglais before reaching the old town and the flower market. Later this morning, led by your local expert, discover and savor the flavors of Nice as you explore the famous local food and flower market and stop at artisan shops where local specialties are made.

Lunch: At a local restaurant in Old Nice.

Afternoon: After lunch, enjoy a brief walking tour of the old town with your expert guide. Afterwards, you can choose to either join the coach to return to the hotel or to explore the old town and other sites on your own.

Description: Brice Hotel is located in central Nice, just a 5-minute walk from the Promenade des Anglais and the beach. It offers a sauna, a solarium and grounds with a fountain.
A buffet breakfast is served in the breakfast room every morning. On sunny days, guests can enjoy a drink from the hotel bar on the terrace under the orange and lemon trees.
The hotel is just a ten minute walk from the tram line and Nice’s central train station. It is ideally located for exploring the city and nearby town such as Monte-Carlo and Cannes.

Morning: Depart by coach for Cimiez Hill Area. Start the morning with a brief walk around the Monastery of Cimiez gardens that feature the old ruins of Nice's Roman past and the Matisse Museum. Explore the Matisse Museum and see a comprehensive collection of the artist works. Works from all periods of his life offer a comprehensive panorama: from the first paintings made in 1890 to the famous gouache cutouts, 236 drawings, 218 engravings and the complete presentation of the books illustrated by the artist. Later in the morning travel down Cimiez Hill to the Chagall Museum. The Museum features Biblical scenes illustrated in 17 large paintings, sculptures, stained glass windows, mosaics and tapestries, 205 preparatory sketches, 39 gouaches (1930), 105 engravings (1956) and 215 lithographs.

Lunch: On your own to explore local cuisine.

Afternoon: Free time in Nice to explore on your own and discover the city's remaining museums and monuments or sinply enjoy walking and exploring the small streets and the waterfront.

Morning: Individual shuttle transfer to the Nice (NCE) airport. Transfer time is dependent on flight time and will happen between 6 a.m. and Noon. Check out is at 11:30 a.m. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please be in touch via the Road Scholar Social Network, where you can share memories, pictures, and comments. Best wishes for all your journeys.

Important information about your itinerary: Please know that while we do everything we can to finalize all aspects of our programs well in advance, there are logistics that occasionally must be altered. Our website will reflect the most recent information, and we are committed to providing you with final program details no later than eight weeks prior to the start of programs outside the U.S. and three weeks prior to the start of programs within the U.S. If you ever have questions about your program, please don't hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

Need Help?

The latest in light, portable, easy-to-use QUIETVOX listening devices are available on Road Scholar programs.* Whether you are outdoors, in a crowd or in a museum environment where speaking loudly is discouraged, a listening device makes it feel like our experts are speaking clearly and directly to you. Hear for yourself on a Road Scholar adventure!

*Please note that due to the nature of some programs, the remote location or government regulations, listening devices may not be available. If you’d like to know for sure if your program will offer listening devices, just call and ask an Advisor!